Gauge arm

ABSTRACT

A gauge arm (and concomitant method of retrofitting an existing gauge arm) comprising an arm portion, a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings, and two or more sealed bearings inserted into the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion is smooth bore, with the sealed bearings being press fit into same. The sealed bearings can be of different dimensions, such as one being a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing, and one a round bore grain drill bearing. The receptacle portion then comprises a stop within the bore thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/671,513, filed on May 15, 2018, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

The present invention relates to an improved gauge arm for farm equipment, most particularly for row crop planters.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Images of known gauge arms, also known as planter wheel gauge arms, 100,102 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), which are in this case manufactured by John Deere®. These known gauge arms, and others in the industry have a number of mechanical problems, The known gauge arms do not fit tightly even when new, and get worn down quickly in typical dusty field conditions. The known gauge arms have a threaded insert or bushing 104,106 that screws inside the gauge arm in threaded receptacle 108,110, with no seal to keep out dust and dirt. The known gauge arms get loose and out of adjustment very easily. When they get loose, the result is that the tire that goes on the gauge arm then wears quickly. The prior art gauge arms also will get stuck and not move properly when they get full of dirt. This is a battle that, in particular, all row crop planters presently have.

The present invention provides an improved gauge arm that solves the above-noted problems, and can be used either with original equipment manufacturing or can be used to retrofit existing gauge arms. The invention is also of a method for such retrofitting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of a gauge arm comprising: an arm portion; a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings; and two or more sealed bearings inserted into the receptacle portion. In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle portion is smooth bore, with the sealed bearings being press fit into the receptacle portion. The sealed bearings can be of different dimensions. One is preferably a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing, and one a round bore grain drill bearing. The receptacle portion preferably comprises a stop within the bore of the receptacle portion.

The invention is also of a gauge arm comprising: an arm portion; and a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings. In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle portion is smooth bore, with two or more sealed bearings being press fittable into the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion comprises a stop within the bore of the receptacle portion.

The invention is further of a method of retrofitting a gauge arm with a threaded receptacle portion, comprising: milling the receptacle portion to make it smooth bore; and inserting two or more sealed bearings into the milled receptacle portion. In the preferred embodiment, inserting comprises press fitting and two sealed bearing are inserted. One is preferably a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing, and one a round bore grain drill bearing. Milling is done from both ends of the receptacle portion to form a stop within the bore of the receptacle portion.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded top view of a prior art gauge arm;

FIG. 2(a) is an exploded top perspective view of another prior art gauge arm;

FIG. 2(b) is an exploded top perspective view of a gauge arm according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an assembled gauge arm of FIG. 2(b);

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of another assembled gauge arm of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top exploded view of the gauge arm of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6(a)-(c) provide top, side, and section views of the arm portion of the gauge arm of FIG. 2(b).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of new improved gauge arms, which are preferably milled to take two or more (preferably two different) sealed bearings, with no threading required or desired. The gauge arms of the invention have sealed bearings so that they do not require greasing and will not in ordinary operation get full of dust or dirt. Furthermore, the bearings stay tight and in adjustment under normal use.

FIG. 2(b) shows an illustrative gauge arm 10 according to the invention as disassembled. In this case the receptacle portion 12 of the gauge arm has been milled to accept two sealed bearings 14,16. Arm portion 18 can be of any of a number of shapes, depending on the requirements of the particular machine employing the gauge arm. FIG. 3 shows the gauge arm as assembled.

FIGS. 4-5 illustrate another gauge arm 20 according to the invention, having a differently shaped arm portion.

FIGS. 6(a)-(c) provide top, side, and section views of the gauge arm of FIG. 3 prior to insertion of bearings. Receptacle portion 12 comprises receptacle 44 for bearing 14, receptacle 42 for bearing 16. Stops 46 are inserted where appropriate against which one end of each bearing will rest upon insertion. Receptacles 42,44 are preferably bored for press fit for the accompanying sealed bearings 14,16.

The preferred larger sealed bearing 14 is a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing, most preferably with bore of about 0.640″, overall length of about 1.725″, length of body about 1.535″, and width about 1.575″, such as John Deere® part number AN212132 (or Timken® part number 5203KYY2). The preferred smaller sealed bearing 16 is a round bore grain drill bearing, most preferably with bore of about 0.64″ round, O.D. of about 1.57″ flat, IR width of about 0.72″, and OR width of about 0.47″, such as John Deere® part number AN281357 (or Timken® part number 203KRR2). However, other sealed bearings may be used as needs dictate, and could include two identical bearings.

The two above bearings are presently preferred for a few reasons. The AN212132 or equivalent bearing is a double row bearing. This type of bearing is very strong and field proven in other farm applications. The AN281357 or equivalent bearing is also field proven in farm applications. So, there are actually three rows of bearings inside the gauge arm that work together. The two different bearings together make a very strong set that can withstand a lot of side pressure while in motion. By using the two different bearings they collectively fill the inside cavity all the way across from one side to the other, making a good and secure fit when placed on the planter machinery. By leaving a stop inside the cavity of the gauge arm, these two different bearings, one on each side of the stop, work well together and cannot come out or move out of adjustment after being installed on the planter machinery. There are no snap rings or retainers necessary. In all, this embodiment of the present invention makes for a well working gauge arm that is nearly trouble free.

There are at least five different styles of the prior art gauge arms, each of which can be improved according to the invention. The most commonly used prior art version is the gauge arm of FIG. 2(a).

Note that in the specification and claims, “about” or “approximately” means within ten percent (10%) of the numerical amount cited.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above and/or in the attachments, and of the corresponding application(s), are hereby incorporated by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gauge arm comprising: an arm portion; a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings; and two or more sealed bearings inserted into said receptacle portion.
 2. The gauge arm of claim 1 wherein said receptacle portion is smooth bore.
 3. The gauge arm of claim 2 wherein said two or more sealed bearings are press fit into said receptacle portion.
 4. The gauge arm of claim 1 wherein said two or more sealed bearings consists of two sealed bearings.
 5. The gauge arm of claim 4 wherein said two sealed bearings are of different dimensions.
 6. The gauge arm of claim 5 wherein one of said sealed bearings is a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing.
 7. The gauge arm of claim 6 wherein one of said sealed bearings is a round bore grain drill bearing.
 8. The gauge arm of claim 5 wherein one of said sealed bearings is a round bore grain drill bearing.
 9. The gauge arm of claim 4 wherein said receptacle portion comprises a stop within a bore of said receptacle portion.
 10. A gauge arm comprising: an arm portion; and a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings.
 11. The gauge arm of claim 10 wherein said receptacle portion is smooth bore.
 12. The gauge arm of claim 11 wherein two or more sealed bearings are press fittable into said receptacle portion.
 13. The gauge arm of claim 12 wherein two sealed bearings are press fittable into said receptacle portion.
 14. The gauge arm of claim 10 wherein said receptacle portion comprises a stop within a bore of said receptacle portion.
 15. A method of retrofitting a gauge arm with a threaded receptacle portion, the method comprising the steps of: milling the receptacle portion to make it smooth bore; and inserting two or more sealed bearings into the milled receptacle portion.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the inserting step comprises press fitting.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein inserting comprises inserting two sealed bearings.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the sealed bearings is a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the sealed bearings is a round bore grain drill bearing.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein milling comprises milling from both ends of the receptacle portion to form a stop within a bore of the receptacle portion. 